[Archived] Steve Kean

[Hughesy]

I'm not suprised Tris, we'd reverted to Sam's tactics.

Did we heck! Yes we pumped a few free-kicks into the mix with the hope that flapper would miss, but everyone does that against dodgy keepers.

Under Sam we wouldnt have played down the wings through Hoilett/ Olsson or had overlapping going on in the middle with Jones driving the team forward.....it would of been a case of hoof every time we get the ball, resulting in the ball coming straight back and Arsenal having much more of the ball.

[chocky]

Disagree about this. We were set up differently compared to how Sam would have done it. The emphasis was releasing down the left rather than getting the ball straight up to Cruz. Set pieces were bad too - we created everything from open play on the break.

Emerton was aweful on the corners and set pieces in the Arsenal match. We missed Pedersen on set plays.

[Antgrad]

Big Sam's tactics? So is Kean better at organising them in a "Big Sam Style" than the man himself? After just 2 games he has more points against the "Big 4" away than Sam managed in 10.

Sam's Big 4 Away record P10 W0 D0 L10 F6 A36 PTS0

Kean's Big 4 Away record P2 W0 D1 L1 F0 A2 PTS1

Emphasises Sam's ridiculous tactic of throwing these games.

[Amo]

Big Sam's tactics? So is Kean better at organising them in a "Big Sam Style" than the man himself? After just 2 games he has more points against the "Big 4" away than Sam managed in 10.

Sam's Big 4 Away record P10 W0 D0 L10 F6 A36 PTS0

Kean's Big 4 Away record P2 W0 D1 L1 F0 A2 PTS1

Emphasises Sam's ridiculous tactic of throwing these games.

Ooooh, you've smacked the hornet's nest there.

[nicko]

On the difference a striker makes...

Is there another club in the Premier League that has had LESS goals from its forwards this season?

THAT is the story of this campaign and how you finish.

Steve Kean put out a well-organised side yesterday and does not lack commitment from his players. That has been the case for quite a while despite the garbage that some spout.

However you won't find points easy from now in because the strikers are so poor at scoring.

It doesn't matter how good your defensive tactics are. If you can't score, you don't win.

[MeanGreenMachine]

Same can be said for pretty much every team in the bottom half...

[yoda]

Which of these cliches will we hear tonight:

I thought the lads were a bit too edgy (despite saying we will thrive on the pressure).

We paid Arsenal too much respect.

Arsenal are a class act and will be close to winning it.

We regroup on the training ground and make sure we are right for Birmingham.

We fight on, the spirit is good.

We will get it right, we are moving in the right direction.

We need a bit of luck.

The owners know what we are trying to do and are fully supportive.

and your answer is?

[chaddyrovers]

I guess Wigan is the team who strikers have scored less goals than ours.

Kean has to find a quality striker or two who will sign goals!

Will Kean played two strikers next season alot?

If so, I would try to find a striker who would bring the best out Kalinic?

Haven't Kalinic and Ruben played well together in the reserves? could be our striking partnership next season.

[Mercer]

One swallow does not make a summer.

However, if Keano can produce good displays and/or results in the remaining games, I shall begin to believe in him.

Ditto.

[Amo]

"One swallow does not make a summer".

But a murder of crows does not make an apocalypse.

[ada2020]

Ditto.

You mean, DINGLE!

As in you are.

[nicko]

Same can be said for pretty much every team in the bottom half...

Not really.

Villa have Bent but are still unconvincing. West Ham have strikers galore but can't defend. Fulham should get goals out of Zamora once he is fully fit. Wolves have just lost their best one. Wigan struggle because they play one up top. West Brom have goals and look like escaping. Blackpool have had goals from Campbell but may still come up short because they lose goals.

If Rovers had a striker who had netted eight to ten this season they would be in on around the top eight.

[tony gale's mic]

If Rovers had a striker who had netted eight to ten this season they would be in on around the top eight.

Having a striker who scores goals isn't just dependent on the striker, it's also dependent on the players around him and the way the team performs.

[John]

If Rovers had a striker who had netted eight to ten this season they would be in on around the top eight.

That's exactly what Sam used to say - a proven striker would have enabled us to finish top eight.

[chocky]

That's exactly what Sam used to say - a proven striker would have enabled us to finish top eight.

Shame he only signed has been useless over the hill strikers..oh wait..

[John]

Might have something to do with having no money, Anelka, ha wait....

Usually a proven striker will cost a fair bit.

[Andy]

Having a striker who scores goals isn't just dependent on the striker, it's also dependent on the players around him and the way the team performs.

Exactly.

We could have one of the best strikers around, but without the service he'll barely score.

I believe Kalinic is a tremdous finisher, but when he does get played, he either plays as a lone striker or just has no service.

As for organised - some of the sides Kean's put out had no clue what they were supposed to be doing.

Newcastle at home we had literally nobody on the right side of midfield, leaving Salgado woefully unprotected. This did not get recified for the whole game, despite it being as obvious as anything.

This is just one single example of the tactical deficiencies we've seen from Kean, and it's laughable to try and claim that he's been almost faultless in the last few months.

Though it must be said that yesterday was another matter; we were well organised and defensively superb.

We need to maintain yesterday's performance, rather than replicate the vast majority of Kean's other matches if we are to stand a chance of staying up.

[nicko]

That's exactly what Sam used to say - a proven striker would have enabled us to finish top eight.

Sam signed Kalinic for plenty...that didn't work.

He was also reduced to signing Mame Biram Diouf and Benjani because he had little to no money last summer.

Steve Kean brought in Roque who was never going to be the answer.

So the blame is pretty evenly spread.

Not sure Ruud would be the answer. But it is definitely the position that needs to be addressed most in the summer.

[philipl]

On the difference a striker makes...

Is there another club in the Premier League that has had LESS goals from its forwards this season?

THAT is the story of this campaign and how you finish.

Steve Kean put out a well-organised side yesterday and does not lack commitment from his players. That has been the case for quite a while despite the garbage that some spout.

However you won't find points easy from now in because the strikers are so poor at scoring.

It doesn't matter how good your defensive tactics are. If you can't score, you don't win.

Yes we have non-scoring forwards but our best forward has been sidelined for falling out with Steve Kean.

The reason Kean has been slammed on here is that yesterday was the first well organised team he has put out.

[Mercer]

You mean, DINGLE!

As in you are.

Stop spouting utter and complete shyte.

[nicko]

Yes we have non-scoring forwards but our best forward has been sidelined for falling out with Steve Kean.

The reason Kean has been slammed on here is that yesterday was the first well organised team he has put out.

Best forward? Who would that be?

First well-organised team?

Don't be showing your true colours now please.

[philipl]

Best forward? Who would that be?

First well-organised team?

Don't be showing your true colours now please.

[chaddyrovers]

If or when we stay up. then Kean will need to look to sign about 5 or 6 players!

A proven PL striker (Crouch for me)

A ball winning midfielder

A goal scoring midfield

A right back

A left back because I think Givet will leave

Maybe a striker with pace.

This summer transfer business will be massive for us and for Steve Kean! Massive test for Kean and the owners for where will finish! we need to be sign Quality Players and not players for the future only!

[broadsword]

Best forward? Who would that be?

First well-organised team?

Don't be showing your true colours now please.

Getting a bit chipper cos your mate managed to pick up a point against Arsenal and for once put out a team that was well-organised and didn't stand motionless on the sidelines as a helpless passenger.

Strange you were a bit quiet a few weeks ago.

[nicko]

Getting a bit chipper cos your mate managed to pick up a point against Arsenal and for once put out a team that was well-organised and didn't stand motionless on the sidelines as a helpless passenger.

Strange you were a bit quiet a few weeks ago.

I prefer to comment on games I have seen or go to. Blackpool was a fair-enough display to me too. Arsenal was a rather gutsy evening's work.

But if you prefer to be driven by your own agenda, that's ok...